This is the shirt I got at the switch and ditch. I’ve been craving a denim shirt for quite some time now. I like this one a lot except for two things: I need to wash it about 100 times to get it super soft and pliable and then also it is a bit short. It was my friend Jen’s. She’s just a little thing so when I wear it, if I raise my hands above my head — watch out — there is flesh showing. Other than that, I really like the color denim and the snaps — I have wanted my denim shirt to have snaps!

And oh am I loving my Frye boots. So comfortable!

Menu:
Breakfast: small dish whole milk plain yogurt; cafe au lait
Lunch: romaine salad with lemon juice, olive oil, salt, gorgonzola crumbles; and an apple
Dinner: Tuna that my Dad caught in Mexico. I just broil it with sea salt and olive oil, potatoes au gratin; romaine salad; wine

PS Please let me know if you want to participate in the next Chic Friends posting (details in previous post) Would love to see a few more people pariticipate. Thanks.

You can’t really see them that well in this picture, but I have new boots!

I finally bought my Frye boots. I have been saving up for them for a long while. Often, when I wanted to buy something else, I reminded myself that I would rather use that money toward my boots!

I bought them at a great discount (new) on ebay … when the box arrived, I was a little nervous. Everything I read said buy them 1/2 size smaller than what you usually wear. But I was worried they would be too small. I slid them on — perfect fit!

They are magical. Somehow they make my legs look slimmer and longer (although I didn’t notice the same effect in the photo as in the mirror!). They, also, unlike other motorcycle boots I’ve owned in the past, are not giant bulky clodhoppers sticking out from your jeans.

Best of all, when I walked in wearing them, my husband said, Wow, I love your boots!

He was talking about them again today.

Although I posted a few things on this blog before this, La Bella Figura in it’s current incarnation, really began on May 13, 2009. So I’m looking at my one year anniversary in a few days.

I think this is the perfect opportunity to say a special thank you to my readers.

By beginning this blog shortly after I moved to an area where I didn’t have a single friend, I have found a group of amazing women — online. I have discovered that I am not alone in my views, beliefs, philosophies, likes, dislikes, etc. Instead, I have found so many like-minded women scattered around the world.

And thank you to — I believe it was you, dear Fiona — who first told me that if I wrote a book she would buy it. It was something that was a little bit out of my comfort zone as a fairly private person. In fact, until I published this book, almost nobody who knew me, even knew I had a blog. Let’s just say that now the cat is out of the bag …

I also want to say a special thank you to everyone who has bought my book and also those who have taken the time to either put a review up on Lulu or send me a private message or both!

At first, for some reason, I was a little embarassed about putting all these really personal beliefs out in the world (in a book). It’s because it is not something I talk about to people unless I sense they are a  kindred spirit.

And I must say this doesn’t happen often. I think this is another reason I began this blog. I really feel a connection with so many people I have met through this blog, even if we only know each other online or by email.

There are quite a few amazing women I hope to one day meet in person and share a drink or a delicious meal and a good conversation. It really nourishes my soul to know there are women out there who see things the way I do– and  in so many ways.

Anyway, I was telling my husband recently that I was going to let more people who know me in person know about my book because I really have no reason to be embarassed about it. It is really from my heart. It really talks about a lot of the things that make me who I am and I truly believe in what I have written.

I am a fairly private person, so it was a bit of a big step for me to put this book out there and also to tell people I know, including friends and family, that it was out there. It has also given me the confidence to keep going on my novel, which is a whole different animal, being fiction. But anyway, just wanted to post a big thank you to everyone who has read me this past year; to those who have commented and to those who are lurkers, too: Thank you!

Here is an old picture from Thursday: Can you tell I’m in love with that vintage velvet jacket I picked up at that garage sale a few weeks ago? I wear it nearly every day. I still am not sure whether it is black or really dark navy. In this picture I am wearing it with a blouse I picked up at the thrift store (Ann Taylor with tags still attached) and my new favorite sandals from Urban Outfitters and my old beat up worn in to softness Levis. I also have on a silver chain, silver hoops and silver bracelet.

Top (Macys) - Levis - Sandals (Urban Outfitters)

I have sort of scoffed at taking vitamins over the years, believing that you really should get all your nutrients from your food. No more. I am a changed woman.

I suffer from migraines, at least once a month. They can last for 3 to 4 days and really are a bother.

I also have found living in a northern, cold climate the past few years, I suffer a bit from seasonal affective disorder.

Well, surprisingly, this winter I found the cure for both of those ailments, in one little vitamin — Vitamin D.

I began megadosing myself and noticed my moods were better and my monthly migraines were reduced in severity. In fact, (KNOCK ON WOOD), this month I completely skipped this monthly migraine altogether for the first time in about 8 years.

WHAT? They came like clockwork every month. I could actually look at my calendar and 9 times out of 10 predict exactly what day I would get the migraine.

My doctor has since approved my megadoses and called Vitamin D the wonder drug. While she wasn’t aware of its effects on migraines, I have found several studies online looking at this benefit.

Anyway, for my fellow migraine sufferers (Eurochic), it might be worth asking your doctor about. I am a big believer now.

To avoid blurry pics and to enjoy the greenery around me, I took another pic outside today. The conclusion: I really need to come up with a new pose.

Today I went to the bookstore and bank in the morning. Then walked to the park. It felt so great to be outside walking again. I love spring and summer!

Menu:
Breakfast: 1/8 slice cantaloupe; banana; cafe au lait
Lunch: piece of leftover lasagne (definitely better the third day!); romaine salad with olive oil, red wine vinegar and gorgonzola crumbles; piece of pepper jack cheese
Dinner: Taco Tuesday; wine

Banana Republic blouse (thrifted)

Ann Taylor skirt (thrifted)

Vintage black velvet blazer (garage sale)

Black patent Mary Janes (consignment shop)

Silver hoops,

silver necklace with diamond pendant

All of my other shots from this said they exceeded file size. Not sure why since I didn’t adjust the camera in between shots. Took another one indoor

 I am obsessed with ivory, cream, lace and ruffles lately.

I can’t get enough of it.

All I want to wear is faded jeans and ivory/cream/beige feminine, flouncy blouses.

 PS Lillian, this photo is the perfect example of why I don’t smile for every photo — sometimes I end up with goofy expressions on my face like this — haha. Not really my best look.

Menu:
Breakfast: one pancake; cafe au lait
Snack: Mocha
Lunch: chips and cheese (not a healthy lunch!)
Snack: Wheat thins and beer
Dinner: nachos; wine;

OK, so this wasn’t the healthiest day of eating I ever had — hope to do better tomorrow.

JCrew Top - Levis - Target scarf - Etienne Aigner boots - Silver hoops

menu:
Breakfast: leftover chicken scallopini and broccoli (don’t ask — it sounded good)
Snack: donut hole at friend’s house
Lunch: pepper jack cheese slices, ham slices, chips
Dinner: potato au gratin, wine

Menu:
Breakfast: slice of homemade bread toasted with butter; slice of watermelon; cafe au lait
Lunch: leftover salad; leftover roasted sweet potatoes and mangoes
Dinner: Taco salad; wine

Outfit:
Navy top (Target); Black Levis; Ralph Lauren sandals; silver chain; silver hoops

I’m not loving my photos lately, but am loving navy and black together.

Target dress - JC Penney heels - Antique amethyst pendant

It was a rainy day here, so my photo is a bit blurry, sorry. I love this outfit for a few reasons — one I can fluctuate in weight by about 8 pounds and it pretty much fits the same and is flattering; two, it costs next to nothing, the dress was from Target and the shoes were originally JC penney and I bought them with credit at the consignment shop. I’m a bit of a shoe snob, but these surprised me and are super comfortable. The antique necklace was a gift from my mother. I love wearing purple and blue together.

Sunday Menu:
Breakfast: english muffins with cream cheese, red onion, capers and smoked salmon my Dad caught in Mexico.
Lunch: Snacky lunch at my in laws, wheat thins, pepper jack cheese, banana and about 1/4 of a donut
Dinner: pork loin roasted in proscuitto slices and honey and roasted mango and sweet potatoes with wine and a green salad

On My Nightstand

Paris Hangover by Kirsten Lobe — I heard about this  book from the lovely Fiona from La Vie en Fifi. Thank you Fiona, because this book was soooo entertaining. I loved it. I absolutely loved living vicariously through this woman’s book, which I suspect is a roman a clef, but she claims is complete fiction. At first, I resisted her witty  humor, thinking to myself, oh, she’s trying too hard to be funny, I’m not going to laugh!
That changed. Only a short way into it, I was sitting in my car waiting to pick up my child from school and found myself howling in laughter while reading this book. People walking by probably thought I had gone off the deep end. Oh, if only I could be that funny in writing my novel. She really is brilliantly funny and anyone who loves Paris should read this.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson— My SIL loaned me this, so sadly it is on the  back burner while I read my library books, although one of my bookclubs meets on it in a few weeks so I will kick it up in priority. I’ pick it up whenever I get the chance and am about 1/5 th of the way through it and really, really like it so far.

The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova. I’ll be honest here. I’ve been anxious, really drooling actually, to read this book for about 5 months. I was no. 586 or something on the library wait list and it finally came in. I want to stop EVERYTHING in my life and read it RIGHT NOW.  But I’m restraining myself. I’m hoping against hope that it is as good as her book The Historian, which I still count as one of my favorite books (warning with that book you better like vampires!) I don’t even remember if this book is a vampire one or not. I don’t care, I just like this author!

Nurture Shock – my neighbor loaned me this and I am looking forward to reading it. Anything about parenting is worth checking out since my kids didn’t come with an owner’s manual.

Reading Lolita in Tehran — A thrift store buy I have just barely begun — on the back burner for now. So far, it seems like it is going to be really good.

The Nautical Chart by Arturo Perez-Reverte — I adore this author and snatched this up at the thrift store. Also in a holding pattern until the library books and book club books are read. I can’t complain — I love having TOO MANY good books waiting beside my bedside to read!

In my DVD Player

I mentioned last week that I saw “State of Play” with Russell Crowe, but I also watched “A Serious Man” — a Coen brothers film — this weekend. What a bizarre movie. It began strangely and ended strangely. I liked it, but felt like it was unfinished .. it sort of left me hanging a bit too much. I loved the Midwestern angle, though, because that is now where I live, so I could appreciate a lot of the references, which I always like with Coen films.

Outfit:
Navy tee (Marshalls) – black vintage velvet blazer (garage sale) – Levis – boots (liz claiborne, consignment)

I thought I had put these boots away for the season. I’m sooo tired of them, but it was just way too cold for sandals when I left the house this morning (38 degrees)

Menu:
Breakfast: slice homemade bread toasted with apricot bonne maman preserves
Lunch: leftover rigatoni and romaine salad with sprinkle of gorgonzola (on salad)
Snack : cinnamon muffin at friend’s house
Dinner: Pizza with pepperoni, mushrooms, black and green olives and wine

Garage sale season has begun. I bought this jacket and some toys and books for my children along with a tag-along that attaches to an adult bike so a child can pedal or just ride along. I’m looking forward to long bikes rides this summer.

I’ll have to do a book post soon, but I did watch a film the other day : “state of play” which, as a former newspaper crime reporter, I especially enjoyed!

Thanks again to everyone who has bought one of my books. So far, knock on wood, I have only heard of one typo, which has already been fixed in any future copies ordered. I also think I have fixed the spacing problem, but will need to order another book for myself to make sure.

One typo is not too bad, considering. At my old newspaper I would always be amazed that an article could be read by me 10 times and then by 4 other people and look great and then as soon as the printing presses ran, you could find a typo that nobody saw beforehand. Argh.

If you bought the book and have seen other typos, please email me at: mammaitaliana23@gmail.com.  Also if you hated it, I’d be interested in what you think could make it better. Conversely, if you liked it, I would be really grateful if you could find the time to put a review up on Lulu, if you don’t mind. Thanks so much.